Buzz
A Glimpse into Phap Hoa Pagoda
Phap Hoa Pagoda is situated at 870 Truong Sa Street, Ward 14, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. It is a Northern Buddhist temple, nestled alongside the charming Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. Amidst the glitzy modern structures of Saigon, Phap Hoa Pagoda remains distinguished with its dignified tranquility.
The temple by the canal
Phap Hoa Pagoda boasts a profound and ancient history, founded in 1928 by Venerable Dao Ha Thanh. Initially, the temple was constructed in a humble manner. Over the years, amidst the historical ebbs and flows, Phap Hoa Pagoda has undergone multiple renovations and enhancements to achieve its present-day appearance.
In 2015, Phap Hoa Pagoda was officially recognized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a key historical site. This temple has become a beloved tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City, cherished by many visitors. The legacy of preservation and enhancement at Phap Hoa Pagoda has been passed down through generations.
Getting to Phap Hoa Pagoda in District 3
Phap Hoa Pagoda is centrally located in Saigon, making it easily accessible. I traveled to Saigon by air, and I found booking a flight to Saigon on the Mytour app to be convenient and reasonably priced.
Overlooking the parking area from above
Tan Son Nhat Airport is only 5.3km away from Phap Hoa Pagoda, ensuring a swift commute. The pagoda provides a parking area for both devotees and visitors. Parking here is entirely free, but personal belongings left in vehicles should be self-managed.
The Splendor of Phap Hoa Pagoda During Vesak
Vesak Celebration commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha, occurring every April. It is a traditional festival for Buddhists worldwide, marking the appearance of Lord Buddha and his mission to bring enlightenment to humanity.
Entrance pathway to the temple
During this period, Buddhist followers come to the temple to pray, decorate the Bodhi tree, offer incense and flowers to the Buddha. They meditate and practice to seek tranquility and enlightenment. It is also an occasion for everyone to pray for peace and blessed life worldwide.
As with other temples during the Vesak in the year 2567 of the Buddhist calendar, Phap Hoa Temple is adorned splendidly to celebrate the joyous day of the entire community. In the central position in front of Phap Hoa Temple's courtyard stands the statue of the Buddha's birth on a lotus throne. At this moment, the Buddha is still the Prince Siddhartha, with his right hand pointing towards the sky, and his left hand pointing down to the earth.
Birth of the Buddha statue
From the outside, Phap Hoa Temple sparkles with numerous lanterns and multicolored lotus flowers. An estimated 1500 lanterns are used during this grand festival to adorn the temple and its surroundings.
A corner of Phap Hoa Temple
Phap Hoa Temple is also one of the largest venues for organizing the lantern floating ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City during Vesak and some other special occasions throughout the year. The ritual of offering flowers and lighting lanterns holds significant meaning for Buddhist followers. It's a way for them to convey wishes for peace, prayers, and dedicate merits to their living family members as well as those who have passed away.
Devotees flock to release floating lanterns
In each floating lantern, the flame symbolizes transient life, differing for each individual. The lotus flower enveloping the lantern represents the divine protection of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Peripheral architecture of Phap Hoa Temple
In front of the temple entrance stands a majestic ancient Bodhi tree. Such Bodhi trees are commonly found in Buddhist temples, holding significant symbolism. According to Buddhist beliefs, the Bodhi tree signifies the vitality, growth, and flourishing of the universe, as well as the enlightenment and liberation of sentient beings. Buddha Shakyamuni himself once meditated under the shade of a Bodhi tree on the banks of the Neranjara River in India.
Ancient Bodhi tree in front of the temple entrance
Beside the Bodhi tree, Phap Hoa Temple houses a Sala tree adorned with numerous blossoms. According to legend, standing beneath the Sala tree, praying, and having flowers fall into your hands signifies the realization of your desires.
Sala flowers at Phap Hoa Temple
There are two entrances to Phap Hoa Temple, the first being the entrance facing the Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè canal, called the Fairy Gate, and the second on the right known as the Drum Gate. Each gate is painted in red, with tiled roofs adorned with soft decorative motifs in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style.
Two entrances of Phap Hoa Temple
Upon entering, you'll encounter numerous lanterns, miniature landscapes, and a fish pond at Phap Hoa Temple. Above the pond, large stones bear intricately carved golden inscriptions of the temple's name. Although the pond is not expansive, its crystal-clear water houses lively Koi fish, creating a profoundly relaxing atmosphere.
Facing the fish pond is a miniature landscape area adorned with various small statues in different postures. Additionally, there is a statue of the Lucky Buddha, surrounded by model pagodas and lush greenery.
Interior architecture of Phap Hoa Temple
The overall interior architecture of Phap Hoa Temple consists of a central building with one ground floor, two upper floors, and a stupa. There are also two auxiliary structures: On the left is the Monks' Residence, where the monks engage in activities and rest; On the right is the Ancestral House, a place of tranquility for devotees wishing to stay at the temple.
Perspective inside Phap Hoa Temple
Overall, the architecture of Phap Hoa Temple in Ho Chi Minh City is truly impressive, bearing the influence of northern temple architecture with dominant colors of red, white, and gold. The temple, with its gracefully tiled roofs and soft, flowing eaves, is adorned with various Buddha statues, ornate horizontal lacquered boards, and golden inscribed couplets. The surroundings feature intricately carved wooden decorations on numerous blue lampposts.
Visitors exploring Phap Hoa Temple should focus on paying respects to the Buddhas and enjoying the scenery on the ground floor and the two upper floors of the central building.
On the ground floor of Phap Hoa Temple, devotees worship the Compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and the Buddha Shakyamuni. During my visit, there was a Marriage Blessing Ceremony held in the hall on the ground floor of Phap Hoa Temple. The Marriage Blessing Ceremony is a sacred union among the Buddhist followers witnessed by the Triple Gem.
Ascending to the first floor of Phap Hoa Temple, you'll find the ancestral house area, a place dedicated to worshiping the Buddha and departed monks. Visitors will be captivated by the exquisitely carved wooden statue of the Compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara with a thousand eyes.
Outside the corridor, there is a bronze bell and a gong. From here, visitors can also get a glimpse of the Monk's Quarter and the Stupa Quarter.
Monk's Quarter and Stupa Quarter Area
On the second floor is the Main Hall with three large gold-plated Buddha statues and several other Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. This is considered the most important area of Phap Hoa Temple, where significant ceremonies are held throughout the year. The surroundings of the Main Hall are adorned with vibrant paintings depicting the life of the Buddha and Buddhist stories.
Phap Hoa Temple in District 3 is a must-visit tourist destination when you come to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit here to help your soul find peace amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
Author: Quach Tinh Nhu
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, within the framework of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualifying article, you will receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a contributor with Mytour. Details about the program can be found at: https://trv.lk/golocal
